Luggage handle assembly



March`12,41968 R.`K. FuJloKA ETA'. 3,372,780

- f f LUGGAGE HANDLE ASSEMBLY Filed' Aug. 22,` 196e v e4 www d L ATTORNEYS United States Patent G 3,372,780 LUGGAGE HANDLE ASSEMBLY Robert K. Fuioka, Los Angeles, and Tim M. Uyeda,

South San Gabriel, Calif., assignors to Samsonite Corporation, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Coiorado Filed Aug. Z2, 1966, Ser. No. 574,206 11 Claims. (Cl. 190-57) This invention relates to luggage handles and more particularly to an extendable type of luggage handle which normally nests upon a socke'ted, elongated base and is adapted to Ibe lifted a short distance above this base, whe-n it is to be gripped, so as to carry the luggage whereon the handle is mounted. As such, the invention which combines a handle and its base will be herein referred to as a luggage handle assembly or as a handle assembly.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved luggage handle assembly of a compact, slenderized form which is especially adapte-d to be stylized in a manner compatible and agreeable with the structural design of various selected types of luggage cases, without any impairment of its functional features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved luggage 'handle assembly of a simple construction having a minimum possible number of components, which are especially easy to manufacture by simple, low cost production operations and be assembled into structurally advantageous relationships.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved luggage handle which is normally nested upon a base portion of the assembly, is easily lifted above this base when gripped to carry the luggage case and is further biased to return to the base whenever it is not in use.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved luggage handle assembly which is a neat appearing, low cost, rugged and durable unit capable of being used with a variety of luggage cases and also with other items requiring handles.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which more fully hereinafter appear, our invention comprises certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafter described and illustrated in preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

PIG. 1 is a small scale perspective view of a luggage case having the improved handle assembly thereon, with the handle shown in retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a fragment of the luggage case and the handle assembly shown in FIG. 1, but on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the handle assembly and with the handle raised to its full height, with a portion of the top of the luggage case shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the handle assembly, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, but on an enlarged scale and with the handle in retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section, taken `along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, but on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the luggage handle assembly per se.

Luggage handle assemblies for various types of luggage cases are often ladapted to be nested upon a base or to be held snugly against the luggage itself when not in use. Such handles may 'be spring loaded, to produce a light or moderate pressure to bias the handle against its base. The present invention was conceived and developed to provide an improved land simplified arrangement of components lCC which combine to make up a handle assembly arrangement of components which combine to make up ahandle assembly of this type, and such a combination comprises a handle portion, a base, a shiftable link at each end of the handle portion connecting with the base to permit it to move against or away from the base and a resilient means, such as within the base and acting in. tension, adapted to pull the links to a position which moves the handle toward its retracted position upon the base.

The features which contribute to the improvement in this handle assembly reside in the fact that the yokes, which connect the links connecting the ends of the handle to the base, overlap yand are desirably spread apart, as within the base, when the handle is moved upwardly to raised position. The resilient means within the base, adapted to forcibly pull the ends of these yokes together, is necessarily disposed between or alongside the yokes to pull against the ends of the yokes. This arrangement presents a diicult structural problem for the yokes, but a very simple means for spreading the links is demanded in a strucl ture such as a luggage `case handle. Thus, a simple, lightweight spring is most effective when acting in tension, because the problem of guiding the spring during movement is overcome.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a luggage case C which is representative of any one of several types of luggage cases, whereon the improved handle assembly A of this invention may be mounted. Such a luggage case C may conventionally comprise a pair of opposed concave sections, each including a shell 10 provided 'around its inner periphery with a strip, such as strip 11 of FIG. 2, adapted to intert with the opposite strip, when the sections are closed, and together providing an edge means E, as in AXtell U.S. Patents 2,950,792. or 2,950,793 each granted Aug. 20, 1963, or Axtell et al U.S. Patent No. 3,198,299, granted Aug. 3, 1965. The case sections are secured together, as by hinges at the bottom and locks or latches at the top, as in Garmon et al. U.S. Patent 3,034,327, granted May 15, 1962. To complete such a case, the 'handle assembly A is also aixed, as to the top of one shell l0 of the case, as illustrated, or may be attached to the edge means E, as in the above Axtell and Axtell et al. patents. Preferably, the handle is in a position to balance the luggage oase, insofar as possible, when the case is lifted by the handle. Ordinarily, the portion of the case to which the handle -assembly A will be attached will be flat or slightly arched, as illustrated, but it is to be recognized that the handle assembly A could be modied to tit the side of a case which has: considerable curvature, such as a hatbox, or the top of a train or beauty case, as in Axtell U.S. Patent 3,029,915, granted Apr. 17, 1962.

In FIGS'. 2 to 6, inclusive, a fragment of one shell 10 of the case C is shown with the handle assembly A attached thereto, while FIG. 7 shows theunderside of the handle assembly as it appears when removed from or prior to attachment to the case. The handle assembly A, which includes a handle H and a base B, is comparatively narrow and elongated in form. The base B is mounted upon the luggage case, as indicated, and each end of the handle H is connected to an end abutment 12 of the base by a rectangular link L. Each link L is pivotally mounted in a transverse socket 13 at the corresponding end of the handle and is pivotally and slidably mounted in a pair of reversely curved slots 14 in the adjacent base abutment 12. The abutments 12 are spaced apart suciently to permit the handle H to lie upon the base between them, and the slots 14 are proportioned so that the links may lie nearly flat and may also be spread apart when the handle lies upon the base, as in FIG. 2, and so that the links, as in FIG. 3 may move toward ach other and-.alsofrise to permit the handle to be lifted lficiently above the base, as for gripping.

The handle H includes an elongated body 15 coneniently having, in section, a curved, cylindrical under- Jrface 16 with a diameter especially sized for easy griping by an ordinary individuals hand. Thus, handle body is somewhat boat-shaped in appearance, with each ncly 17 being turned upwardly in a prow-like manner. .ri interior space 18 in the handle body, to facilitate lolding, may be provided with transverse ribs 19 therein, s in FIG..4. It is desirable to form the handle body f a moderately rigid, resilient synthetic resin which feels )ft and pliable to an individuals touch. Accordingly, the andle is preferably reinforced, as by a longitudinally disvosed metal channel strip 20 mounted on the upper sur ice thereof. For easyy fabrication and assembly, the web f channel strip 2Q lies upon the top of the handle and 1e flanges 21 thereof are downturned to extend into )ngitudinal slots 22 provided in the body of the handle, s in FIG. 5. Each end of each flange 21 extends beyond 1e web and terminates as an ear 23, while a hole 24 in ach'earis aligned with the socket 13 of the handle to irther 'reinforce the unit. This exposed web of the strip l) overlies and closes the interior space 18 of the handle ody and is suitably plated or surfaced to present a neat ppearing finish to the top of the handle.

Eachlink L, connecting the handle H and base B, is )rmed as a rigid, rectangular, U-shaped member having transversebase portion 25 which extends through an Jutment slot 14 when mounted thereon, parallel side rms 26 at each end of the base portion to lie at each side E the abutment and an inturned end 27 at the extended 1d of each arm `26, which extends into one side of a )cket 13 at an end of the handle, as illustrated in dotted nes in FIG. 5. The inturned ends 27 of each link oppose ich other to meet or substantially meet, within a socket 3 of theV handle, to complete the connection of the andlev and base by the links. In order to eifect such conect'ion, the links L may be initially provided with the ids 27 'spread' apart, to be rst threaded through the ots 14 of the abutment, and then the ends 27 litted into le sockets 13 of the handle and the operation comleted by squeezing the spread apart ends together. This rovides a strong, permanent connection in a very simple lanner.

The base B is aI substantially rigid, elongated member, av'ing sidewalls 3d, the underside of each of which may a either flattened 0r arched to conform with the sur- :cev of thev luggage case to which the handle is to be tached. The base may be generally rectangular in plan 1t provided with edges and surfaces which are slightly lrved and angled in any desirable manner, to enhance s appearance and also to facilitate easy manufacture the unit.

This base may be formed of a relatively rigid, strong 1d tough type of synthetic resin, such as an acetal co .ilymer or other suitable resin, but it also may be rmed of metal, such as aluminum and as by die castg. Ther central reach 31 of base B, between the abutents 12, constitutes a socket whereon the handle H may as described previously. Accordingly, the top portion this central reach is substantially straight in the longidinal direction, but is transversely concave, as at 32, to :stingly receive the undersurface 16 of the handle. Also,

complete' thesocket-like construction, the inward side l of each-abutment 12 is sloped and formed to match eprowdike ends 17 of the handle. To further provide a zat, socketed appearance of the handle upon the base, e top-of each abutment at the inward side 34 is subantially flush'with the top of the handle when seated, d the top surface of each abutment 12 is downsloped itwardly from the handle in a neat appearing manner. lis downsloped surface may be iinished as desired, and

illustrated in FIG. 2, a decorative socket 35 may be ovided for holding an initial plate or the' like.'

Structurally, the elongated base B is a hollow, compartmented member to facilitate molding or casting, with a compartment 36 between side walls 30 within each abutment 12 and a third compartment 37 under the central reach 31. A comparatively thick partition 38, depending rom the inward side wall 34 of each abutment 12, divides each abutment compartment 36 from the central com pa1tment 37. A threaded hole 39 extends into each partition 38 from the underside to receive a mounting screw 4d which attaches each end of the handle assembly to the luggage case, as by extending the screws 4t) through holes in the shell 10 or corresponding portion of the case, 'as in the manner clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6; Each partition 38 is also traversed by a pair of synimetricaily spaced slots 42 which form passageways corrie municating between each abutment compartment 36 and the central compartment 37, to permit the side legs 43 and 44, respectively, of a pair of corresponding yokes Y to extend therethrough, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Each slot 14 which receives a base portion 25 of a link L is proportioned to accommodate the positioning of the link at its extreme positions, as from a first position where the handle H is seated upon the base, as in FIG. 2, to a second position where the handle is raised above the base, as in FIG. 3. When the handle is in the seated position upon the base, the links L are spread apart with the base portions 25 of the links being at the outer llrnits plisn this by resilient means, such as within the base, it is necessary to forcibly spread the base portions 25 of the links L whichare within the slots 14. The improved, simpliiied construction to accomplish this is conveniently in the central compartment 37 of the body and comprises a longitudinally disposed, tension spring 45 placed 'between the pair of overlapping yokes Y. Each yoke Y is formed as a rigid wire like member having a pair of spaced parallel side legs 43 or 44, as indicated, which straddle the spring 45. The side legs of each yoke lie alongside the spring within the central compartment 37 and' also ex tend through the corresponding slot passageways. 42 in the corresponding partition 38, as in the manner i1lus trated in FIGS. 4 and 7, with an upturned outer end 46 of each leg being provided with a hook 47 to connect with the corresponding link base 25 within abutment compartment 36. Also, an inner crotch 48 "of each yoke connecting the legs, is arched by a reverse bend in the dif rection of the legs, to effectively connect with an end hook of the spring 45.

It follows that, with the construction set forth, the hooks 47 of the yokes will be biased by the tension of the spring 45, since the spring will pull the base 25 of the links;

L apart and urge the handle body against its seat'on the base B. Also, as the handle is raised, a pull will be exerted on spring 45, since moving the outer ends of yokes Y together will pull the inner ends apart, due to the overlapping of the yokes. Thus, spring 45 is stretched as the'` handle is raised, which causes the springto snap the'l handle back into seated position, when the handle is're-l leased. Furthermore, the simple structural arrangement of compartments-within the base to receive the yspring and yokes is especially desirable, because the baseand its arrangement of cavities is suited for forming and production by molds using either'resin or metal materials.

It is to be noted that the handle assembly A isa versatile unit. The underside of each side wall 30 of the base may be easily proportioned to be used on cases having a surface of considerable curvature. Also, the handle assembly A may be used for purposesother than for luggage cases, for example, it may be easily adapted for use as a door handle or the like where an elaborate design is desired. Further, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can also devise alternate and equivalent constructions which are nevertheless within the spirit and scope of our invention. Hence, We desire that our protection be limited, not by the constructions illustrated and described, but only by the proper scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a handle assembly for a luggage case and the like, having a handle and a base:

means at each end of the handle movably connecting the end ofthe handle with the base and permitting at least the central portion of the handle to be lifted above the base for gripping and also permitting the handle to be lowered upon the base to a retracted position, at least a portion of each said means moving outwardly from the central portion of the base whenever the handle is lowered upon the base;

a pair of overlapping members, each connected at its outer end to sai-d movable portion of one of said connecting means and extending past the inner end of the other member; and

resilient means extending between said inner ends of said members for moving said members outwardly and thereby urging said handle to said retracted position.

2. In a handle assembly, as delined in claim 1, wherein:

said overlapping members are provided with parallel side legs.

3. In a handle assembly, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

said overlapping members have upturned outer ends.

4. In a handle assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said resilient means comprises a tension spring.

5. In a handle assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said base is provided with a cavity on the underside to receive said members and said resilient means.

6. In a handle assembly, as dened in claim 5, wherein:

said members have parallel side legs; and

said base is provided with a cavity on the underside for receiving said members and said resilient means, said base also having a transverse, depending partition spaced from each end and providing at each side thereof a guide passageway for the corresponding side leg.

7. In a handle assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said connecting means comprise links.

8. In a handle assembly, as defined in claim 7, wherein:

said base is provided with a slot at each end for receiving the corresponding link.

9. In a handle assembly, as dened in claim 8, wherein:

said base is provided with an upstanding abutment at each end in which said link slots are formed, a space comprising:

a handle proportioned for easy gripping and having a socket at each end;

a base having spaced side walls and a central portion adapted to nestably hold the handle in place thereon;

an upstanding abutment at each end of said central portion of said base and having in each side thereof a longitudinally disposed transverse slot which is upturned toward the inner end;

a pair of generally rectangular links, each link having" one end mountd in a handle socket and the other end in an adjacent abutment slot and being adapted to move outwardly in the slot as the handle is lowered against the central portion of the base;

a pair of overlapping members beneath said base, the outer end of each members being connected to said other end of one of said links and the inner ends of each member being spaced from the inner end of the other member in a direction toward the opposite link; and

resilient means extending between said inner ends of said members.

11. A handle assembly, as dened in claim 10, wherein:

said resilient means is a tension spring;

said base is provided with spaced side walls and a cornpar-tment on the underside of said central portion and on the underside of each said abutment, with a depending partition between the respective compartments and each partition providing a passageway at each side thereof; and

said members each have a pair of parallel, spaced side legs extending from the inner end thereof and through the corresponding passageways provided by said partitions, a pair of upturned outer ends integral with said legs and connected to the said other end of the corresponding link, and a crotch connecting the inner ends of said legs and offset to receive a connection for the corresponding end of said spring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS F. ANORTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A LUGGAGE CASE AND THE LIKE, HAVING A HANDLE AND A BASE: MEANS AT EACH END OF THE HANDLE MOVABLY CONNECTING THE END OF THE HANDLE WITH THE BASE AND PERMITTING AT LEAST THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE HANDLE TO BE LIFTED ABOVE THE BASE FOR GRIPPING AND ALSO PERMITTING THE HANDLE TO BE LOWERED UPON THE BASE TO A RETRACTED POSITION, AT LEAST A PORTION OF EACH SAID MEANS MOVING OUTWARDLY FROM THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE BASE WHENEVER THE HANDLE IS LOWERED UPON THE BASE; A PAIR OF OVERLAPPING MEMBERS, EACH CONNECTED AT ITS OUTER END TO SAID MOVABLE PORTION OF ONE OF SAID CONNECTING MEANS AND EXTENDING PAST THE INNER END OF THE OTHER MEMBER; AND RESILIENT MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID INNER ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS FOR MOVING SAID MEMBERS OUTWARDLY AND THEREBY URGING SAID HANDLE TO SAID RETRACTED POSITION. 